Well, Nikon’s latest annual report is out and it shows a $262 million write off in losses. The report says that Nikon has been facing challenges from the declining demand for camera gear from professionals and hobbyists, increased competition, the global silicon shortage and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, Nikon will soon be releasing their new Z9 flagship mirrorless camera and according to Nikon president Toshikazu Umatate, they’ll be increasing their Z mount lens lineup from its current 22 up to “nearly 30”....

Nikkei reports that Nikon is planning to release a new mirrorless model during the 2019 fiscal year. Specifically, a lower midprice model that sits below the Z6 and will have a retail cost of around $900. And Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, a newspaper specialised in Japanese manufacturer, reports that Nikon’s new CEO, Mr Umadate, says that Nikon will also be releasing a Flagship mirrorless camera equivalent to the Nikon D5 DSLR....

Despite Sony’s popularity with cameras, TVs, Walkmans, and other doohickies, one of their most successful units within the company has been their semiconductor division. The semiconductor division was actually spun off as a separate company back in 2015, but has remained a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony, who retains complete control. Now, Daniel Loeb, an American investor who runs a fund owning a $1.5 billion stake in the company, has called on Sony to completely separate its “crown jewel” image sensor business from the rest of the company....

Wireless charging seems to be the big thing with portable devices right now. There are various phones and tablets out there that support it, and as the technology evolves, companies are looking to see what other items can utilise it. Canon seems to think that cameras are one such possible device. At least if this new patent application being reported by Canon Watch is anything to go by. Wireless charging certainly has its advantages, but it has some disadvantages, too....

There is quite a debate going in the photographic community, which one is more comfy: back packs or shoulder bags. This has been going on every since I can remember and talking strictly from a functional perspective I can see pluses and minuses for both. (if you base your decision on style, which is perfectly ok, then this will not matter to you). Shoulder bags have the benefit of easy access to your gear, while backpacks are easy to carry around....